People don’t know that years before Tesla came on the scene Ford developed a strange-looking electric car in the 1960s

April 12, 2026

An old Ford shows that EVs have been around a lot longer than most people think.

At first glance, it looks almost like a toy.

However, behind that odd design was a serious idea about cleaner cities.

Perhaps more interestingly, the EV came from a company better known for big engines.

Unveiled at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show, the Comuta was developed by Ford’s UK division as a response to rising concerns about air pollution in crowded cities.

It was a compact, two-door electric runabout designed specifically for short-distance commuting.

Power came from a bank of lead-acid batteries, giving it a modest top speed of around 40 mph and a range of roughly 40 miles.

While it’s not impressive by modern standards, in the context of the 1960s, it was cutting edge.

The toy-like design reflected its purpose.

With a boxy shape, large glass panels, and a tiny footprint, the Comuta prioritized practicaility over style.

It could seat four passengers in a surprisingly tight cabin, emphasizing efficiency in both space and energy use.

According to historical archives, only two prototypes were ever built, making it one of Ford’s rarest experimental projects.

In fact, the idea of electric cars dates back much earlier than most people realize.

As early as the late 1800s, inventors were experimenting with battery-powered vehicles.

By 1890, William Morrison had created one of the first practical electric cars in the United States, capable of carrying passengers on city streets.

Detroit Public Library Digital Collections

Around the same era, companies like Baker Motor Vehicle Company and Detroit Electric were producing electric cars that were especially popular among urban drivers.

The Ford Comuta shows that EVs have been around a lot longer than most people think. — Detroit Electric

In fact, electric vehicles accounted for a significant portion of cars on the road in the early 1900s, prized for being quieter and easier to operate than gasoline-powered alternatives.

If EVs were commonplace a century ago, what happened?

Well, the rise of cheap gasoline, mass production led by Ford itself, and improvements in internal combustion engines pushed EVs into the background for decades.

That’s what makes the Ford Comuta so fascinating.